Purpose

Your Future’s Path Encourages The Appearance Of Your Purpose

Posted on by Melinda Milhouse

Your purpose is making its appearance in small continuous forms right at this moment and in moments to come.

Japanese Poet, Mitsuo Aida, has a saying, “Jinsei ni oite mottomo taisetsu na toki sore wa itsu demo ima desu” this means the most crucial time in life is always the present. Focusing on your present life shapes your future. In short, the current moments are where your purpose is evolving, happening, and taking shape. These very moments are the best time to fortify outcomes to pave the path to your future. You will have the most impact on your future today.

The Known and Undiscovered Parts Of Your Purpose

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Your purpose is not something that springs itself on you at an unexpected time.

Every encounter you have with a person or participation in activities leads you toward your future state or self. Your purpose is alive and well, and it is unraveling at this moment with every decision you make. Jokes, actions, introductions, lunches, dinners, friendships, travels, and encounters shape and feed your purpose. Moreover, you hone and sharpen your intentions through rejections you invoke through actions and words you conjure out of speaking.

James Baldwin once said, “People pay for what they do, and still more for what they have allowed themselves to become. And they pay for it very simply; by the lives they lead.” Don’t forget to be deliberate with your actions and pristine with your choices. Make your movements count because unknown tides will rear up in your life that you will not be able to manipulate and influence. Those will an impact on your future’s path too.

The Future You Want

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Mother Theresa once said, “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

The future you want may be harder to obtain than you know, and that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try what’s necessary today to receive it. Here is the thing, today’s inputs are a vital part of your life because they influence outputs that structure tomorrow. Unexpected forces will challenge your purpose and may cause delays in your life’s objectives, and even temporarily knock you off your path. There are life occurrences that happen in changes and transformations, and these fall into two categories, predictable and unforeseeable.

Give it your all in the present, don’t be anxious, and hopefully, you’ll fall somewhere toward the future you want. There is no substitute for putting in the work today to experience some of the pieces of the future you dream of.

Deepak Chopra once said, “When you make a choice, you change the future.” Last, learn from past mistakes and move onward and create.

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Stop What You’re Doing And Gain More Time To De-stress

Posted on by Melinda Milhouse

If the constant need to prove yourself is exhausting, you are not alone. As much as you try to limit technology, sometimes it is impossible – time is of the essence.

Technology rules a sizable portion of your life– on some small scale, you can’t function without it. We read online, research online communicates, order food online, and so much more. To break this current type of behavior, and you can only do it short-term, you must purposely check out activities for a period. It is essential to free yourself from the technostress that may seep in and work on you in the background.

Unbury Your Head To Have More Personal Time

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It is true you bury your head in the phone, laptop, and any other gadget. And attempting to lessen this type of activity probably feels impossible. Here is the good part, you are not alone. The flow of time waits on one, so do not forget to grab some of that for yourself.

The quickest way to gain more time in your favor is to note the amount of time you spend online. The best app creators collect data regarding the amount of time you spend online.  Some app creators reissue this information to you in analytical stats – take advantage of it and use it in your favor. Look, try to regain as much passive online time as possible and put it toward some form of self-care activity. You will not regret it.

No Guarantees And No Regrets

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No regrets are easier said than done. There is no guarantee that time will work itself out if you do not grab at it.

Making time means shifting it from one place to another. You hear all the time that time waits on no man or woman. Not giving two f*k*s is not the focus here. It is not about caring less what someone else thinks. It is not about knowing you did your own thing on a whim. There is no guarantee that at some point, you will not go through a conscious break. Notably, no regrets mean you had rationally assessed the situation that stands before you and made the best possible outcome for your mental self. You give so much time to the things this modern world throws at you on the mainstream front.

“Go ahead and live with your head held high. No matter how devastated you may be by your own weakness or uselessness, set your heart ablaze. Grit your teeth and look straight ahead. Even if you stop and crouch down, time won’t wait for you or snuggle you and grieve along with you.” – Kyojuro Rengoku, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

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Remember To Appreciate What You Already Have

Posted on by Melinda Milhouse

Now is the time to appreciate everything that is in your hand. Everything else is a possibility.

At best, a definite holds more value than unknowns. A near opportunity is nothing to sneeze at or forego. A not-so-close chance is a risk at the moment. The question is, what are you willing to give up to gain boundless possibilities and far fetch opportunities? Appreciating what you have coupled with the desire to be destined for more is an emotional tug of war that occupies your conscious.

You need to know if you do not reach for that opportunity, will you be ok. Moreover, you may become mentally bombarded with reckless thoughts. Uncertainty may creep in and attempt to occupy a space in your well-being if things feel out of reach. The lines between what you have and what you want may blur. This may create a sense of impatience and anxiety.

When Obsession Battles Gratitude

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Dealing with the battle between obsession and gratitude in your life may mean appreciation is on the verge of taking the proverbial setback. When you can stop thinking about the possibility of obtaining something of value or notoriety, your thinking goes beyond a normal mode. Your mood allows intrusive thoughts to overtake you. Those thoughts are more fierce and may be persistent than usual. You lose sight of what is in front of you. You may even begin to have a critical appreciation for the things around you. An obsession may be about physical, material, or position situations.

In some cases, you may feel like you fail. A call to action may be the thing that drives you to depths beyond your usual behavior. The descendent into an attitude spiral is almost inevitable. Do not lose sight of what is essential – do not forget to appreciate how you arrived at what you have already obtained.

The Chance To Have More

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You are not alone in wanting more than you already have in your life. The chance to have more is tempting. And, when you feel like you deserve it, there is only one thing to do – go for it! Having more is the epic desire common among young adults, adults, and those reinventing their lives.

Before you go for it, there is something to consider because risks are real! There is no perfect situation to obtain more and keep what you already have. Indeed you may end up having to give something up to gain something more. And you might say, “how is that having more if I must give something up. More means it is essential to a career, valuable to health, or key to a goal. More does not always mean quantitative it can also mean qualitative in terms of value. In the end, there is always a chance to have more and appreicate what you gain and may lose.

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10 Mid-Spring Quotes To Carry You Through The Season

Posted on by Melinda Milhouse

It’s mid-spring, and the outdoor is alive, loud, and vibrant. If you throw open the windows and spring outward the doors, you hear birds singing, feel the warm sun, and smell the fresh air moving. Here are ten spring quotes that will add upbeat to your day and put a pep in your step!

“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.” ― Rainer Maria Rilke

“It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want—oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” ― Mark Twain

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“I enjoy the spring more than the autumn now. One does, I think, as one gets older.” ― Virginia Woolf, Jacob’s Room

“Yes, I deserve a spring–I owe nobody nothing.” ― Virginia Woolf, A Writer’s Diary

“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything. (Sonnet XCVIII) ― William Shakespeare, Shakespeare’s Sonnets

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“From the end spring new beginnings.” ― Pliny the Elder

“Spring is far more than just a changing of seasons; it’s a rebirth of the spirit.” ― Toni Sorenson

“Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart.” ― Victor Hugo, Writer

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“Spring won’t let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and breathe the air deeply again.” ― Gustav Mahler

“Half an hour in a spring evening is worth a thousand gold pieces.” ― Japanese Proverb

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To The Ladies Who Appreciate That Real Male Friend

Posted on by Melinda Milhouse

To the woman with a reliable and trustworthy male friend, please do not him for granted. He knows you better than most, and surprisingly to an outsider, what they cannot see is, he offers sound advice. There is no secret expectation that causes you trouble or worry. He admires you just as you are. Moreover, you count on him for honest conversation, and he provides genuine comfort. He is your proverbial shoulder to cry on despite what others may think. You are a lucky duck to hold topics of discussion where he brings a proper male perspective. There is no way to say that a male bestie is just as valuable is a female bestie – so you show it by having his back too.

You Are Grateful For The Shared And Liked Pastimes

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It is all about the connection to that male friend. He knows the gossip, the tea, and the dirty. Sometimes you need that male point of view-raw, and uncut is what you will get. You are in for some of the funniest and sentimental moments. If you a female who likes sport and likes the same jokes, it is a relationship for the ages. You read the same genre of books, but you are not twins. You respect each other’s differences in taste. The theme park, check Thai food, match, vacation at the beach, hell no – you prefer the wine country.

He will celebrate with you and nicely scold you at the same time. You had better make sure you are a great friend back. Protect him at all costs because others are watching and can’t figure out the authentic connections.

There Is No Better Connection Than Your Male Friend

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Do not let anyone question your connection to him. Importantly, he is your male friend for reasons unbeknownst to strangers. Looking from the outside into your friendship will puzzle some people. People may never understand how you can share your joys, failures, relationship pangs, and successes with him.

Moreover, it will be a puzzle to others how he can share his thoughts, worries, wins, and losses with you – and walk away with good advice. But it is the connection you have nurtured and grown with each other through time that counts. That is your friendship win. The level of trust you each share is because of the bond where you put in the work. That feeling of enchantment and magic is due to the soulful kinship infinite flow from each other.

It Is Not About Romance Though It Feels Romantic

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It is an adventure that is a common language to have him as your number uno counterpart. And, if adventure is a form of romance, then you embody it. It is the symbol on your back and the same symbol on his chest. It is a wholesome friendship. Importantly, it is not one that you just give away or takeaway because you disagree. It’s more gives than take and more listen than talk. And, at times, it’s not about saying anything.

It is ice cream when you have a sweet tooth and a phone call when you need a voice more than you need the words. Understanding keeps the bond solid, and forgiveness keeps it lasting through the years. You constantly say to yourself, “I cannot think of a life without him.” But if it ever happens, it will be a slow recovery with tears and a lot of junk food.

“What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies.” ― Aristotle

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You’re Simply One Hella Good Friend

Posted on by Melinda Milhouse

You show up when they need you most—you check-in when friends don’t need you at all. Importantly, you are the first to notice when your friends or best friend is in distress. Often, you’re the first to know when things don’t seem right with your bloke. Also, you know exactly what to bring to cheer up your best friend. You are simply one hello good friend and don’t you forget it.

“Friendship … is born at the moment when one man says to another “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .” ― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

Honestly, you don’t try that hard. Being a good friend comes naturally. Moreover, you know what to say to sway the mood when there is hurt and grief in the friendship. The cure, the healing is all you. There is no denying your role. You know how to watch, and you know how to listen, and offer the best advice.

You Show Up And Show Out In Support Of Your Friends

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There is no denying the devoted homie you are. You show up and stand by your friends through their insane commitments. If they need a plus one for happy hour, you come in kicking doors down. Rather it’s a skydiving date or a graduation ceremony to celebrate you bring the good times – the memorable moments. Also, you don’t hesitate to stand firm in the company of your friends. You’re the first to check their ass when they least expect it.

Their success is yours, and their injury or sickness is yours to heal.

Additionally, you compliment rare things unnoticeable by others. You love your friend’s handbag collection or cigar collection and won’t hesitate to take some for yourself.

You Know How To Bring The Wine And The Talk

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Elbert Hubbard once wrote, “A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” The accommodating homeboy or home girl will toast you into eternity. Your cheers are one for the ages in celebration of anything that brings you’ll together. You know where to get the wine, ice cream, and the smokes and make it a date. Furthermore, you know when your homies are dating the jerk and when they’re the jerk. No glass of wine is too full for a conversation amongst friends.

You’re precisely what friendship orders.

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Let’s Have Some Reading Merriment In 2021

Posted on by Melinda Milhouse

Now that 2021 is in play, it’s time that you set your reading challenge. A good deal of fantastic books was released in late 2020. And 2021 will have no shortage of riveting novels. Also, if you did not get a chance to check them out, this is the time to add them to this year’s list. No matter the genre, you can always find a praiseworthy book.

Above all, for my 2021 list, I am revisiting some classics and continuing with my favorite genre, urban fiction. Last, here is a snapshot of the start of my list.

My 2021 Book List Looks Something Like This

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  1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  2. Chain of Iron (The Last Hours, #2) by Cassandra Clare
  3. The Celtic Twilight by Walter Butler Yeats
  4. Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
  5. A Promised Land by Barack Obama
  6. The Legends of King Arthur And His Knights by Sir James Knowles
  7. Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova
  8. Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova
  9. Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
  10. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
  11. Tales of the Shadowhunters Academy by Cassandra Clare
  12. Something Dark and Holy Series by Emily A. Duncan

Honestly, there is no time like the present to indulge and escape in a good book. Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.” Reading brings a perspective that is necessary to thought and culture. So grab a book and enter into a world that will stay with you forever. This list is only the start of an auspicious year for reading. Last, I leave you with this, one ought to always revere the printed page. There is forever a story waiting on a willing reader.

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I Hope You Have A Happy New Year

Posted on by Melinda Milhouse

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.”
― T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets

It’s the last day of the year in 2020. Yes, it’s 365/365 or 365 of 365. Though the year is over and we will be out, it will not be forgotten. I truly wanted to capture and list all the lessons I learned in 2020, but I decided no on a comprehensive list. I believe it’s more important to say that I’m thankful and appreciative for my existence.

The outgoing year was about protests, deaths, sacrifices, and ingenuity. I watched what I thought was friends act out their true feelings through social media posts. I’ve seen families come together and support one another in monumental ways. Moreover, I witness small families struggle and buckle under the flows brought on by the pandemic. I, myself, have been changed by the occurrence of 2020. In 2021, I hope that cruelty, racisms, injustice, inhumanity, and fiendish are bound. I hope that GOD releases goodness, mercy, justice, and good health in 2021.

May we all experience the new year in ways beneficial to each of us as individuals and as collective denizens of this world. Let’s find peace with our neighbors, strive to eradicate our weaknesses, sort out our differences, and become better people – let’s cultivate in ways that preserve rather than destroy.